By Ben Calhoun, Chicago Public Radio
Chicago – A federal judge has identified Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich as the beneficiary of an alleged kickback scheme.
Blagojevich has been identified in a filing for the trial of indicted political fundraiser Tony Rezko. Rezko was a close friend of the governor and one of his top fundraisers.
In the past, Blagojevich repeatedly said he was not the politician who stood to gain from Rezko's alleged crimes.
Rezko's indictment identifies that person only as "a certain public official." However the new court filing describes an alleged shakedown scheme from Rezko's indictment, and specifically identifies Governor Blagojevich as the previously unnamed official.
In the alleged scheme, Rezko is accused of rigging a state contract. He and another man allegedly required that a contract recipient either make a $1.5 million campaign contribution to Blagojevich, or give a $2 million bribe.
The governor's office denies any wrongdoing and denies any knowledge of the situations described in the case.